Fun Korean

Hwasun Unjusa Culture Festival

화순운주문화축제

Unjusa is the temple of a thousand Buddhas and a thousand pagodas, with stone statues and towers in every valley and a legendary reclining Buddha. The festival brings temple bell ringing, pungmul drumming, concerts, temple-food and woodcraft experiences, and wish-writing on roof tiles.

Free. Food stalls sell pajeon and fish cakes.

Goheung Yuja (Citron) Festival

고흥유자축제

Goheung is Korea's biggest yuja (citron) growing area, and this autumn festival takes place among its yuja orchards. Make your own yuja syrup, relax in a yuja spa, taste yuja dishes, pick yuja and walk the orchard trails. At night the orchards light up, with busking and a fire-art show.

Entry is free; some experiences cost extra.

Suncheon Ollanga One-Day Market

순천 올랑가 일일마켓

A one-day street market in Suncheon's old downtown celebrating new local shops: food booths from local merchants and teams from many countries, busking and spoon-drumming shows, a stamp tour, a treasure hunt and crafts like dalgona making.

11:00–18:00. Free.

Muan YD Festival

무안 YD 페스티벌

A youth culture festival themed 'PLAY YD': an opening parade, a celebration concert, a street basketball contest, busking, drone flying, beauty and AI game booths, a chrysanthemum display and local produce sales.

09:00–22:00. Free (some programs paid).

Jindo Saturday Gugak Show "I Love Gugak"

국립남도국악원 토요상설공연 '국악이 좋다'

Every Saturday the National Namdo Gugak Center on Jindo Island puts on a free show of southern Korean traditional music: instrumental pieces, folk songs and pansori. Jindo is the home of Ganggangsullae and many other folk arts, and each month has a theme. November's is the start of winter.

Free. A free shuttle runs from Jindo-eup before and after the show (about 70 minutes).

Culture Day Youth Mic (Jeolla & Jeju)

문화가 있는 날 청춘마이크 (전라·제주권)

Free pop-up performances by young and senior performing groups in everyday places around Jeolla and Jeju, part of the national Culture Day program. This year's theme, Cheongchun Eoram, brings young and older artists together, with solo shows and joint stages.

Free. Times and places differ for each of the 47 shows; check the official site.

Yeosu National Heritage Media Art Festival: Jinnamgwan

국가유산 미디어아트 여수 진남관

An evening of light and video on Yeosu's heritage sites under the theme "Jinnamgwan: Rebuilt with Light". Projections on Jinnamgwan Guesthouse, the Gosodae command post and the Turtle Ship at Yi Sun-sin Plaza tell the story of Admiral Yi Sun-sin's war diary and voyages. Collect stamps on a walking tour; weekends add hands-on programs and a flea market.

Every evening 19:30–21:30. Free.

Grand Chrysanthemum Festival

대한민국 국향대전

Every autumn since 2004, Hampyeong Expo Park in South Jeolla has been covered in chrysanthemums, from flower gardens to huge sculptures made of blooms. It's an easy, family-friendly day out with food stalls and stage programs.

Gangjin Bay Dancing Reed Festival

강진만 춤추는 갈대축제

An autumn festival in Gangjin Bay Eco Park, home to 1,572 species, with sunsets over the reed beds. Walk the eco trails through the reeds, join the reed-forest exploration and kids' eco activities, and catch the concerts on the main stage.

Free. 10:00–19:00. Last day Sunday, Nov 1.

Wolchulsan Chrysanthemum Festival

월출산 국화축제

About 200,000 chrysanthemums of 23 kinds fill Gichan Land at the foot of Wolchulsan, with flower sculptures, bonsai chrysanthemums, flower paths and a silver-grass photo zone. A relaxed autumn walk, with a Yeongam produce market.

Free.

Mokpo Heritage Night

목포 국가유산야행

A night heritage festival in Mokpo's old downtown, subtitled "Modern Times, the Story of Mokpo's Port Opening, 129". Mokpo opened its port in 1897, and walks, media art, parades, concerts and a night market bring to life the modern history halls, the former Simsang Elementary School, Gyeongdong Cathedral and other old buildings.

Free. 18:00–22:00. Last night Sunday, Nov 1.